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United Airlines have changed their travel guidelines after a French Bulldog died in March from being stored in an overhead bin. This change will be effective on June 18th.
Short-nosed or snub-nosed dogs, like pugs, Boston terriers and French Bulldogs will no longer be allowed to fly in the plane’s lower compartment.
The airline said it changed its travel guidelines “out of concern for adverse health risks.”
United says they used to fly all sorts of different animals, but from now on, they will limit the species to only dogs and cats.
“We are doing this to further minimize risk and ensure the comfort of pets we fly,” Charles Hobart, a spokesman for United Airlines said.
The American Humane is helping United Airlines come up with new rules for transporting pets.
“American Humane will be performing a top-to-bottom examination of every aspect of air travel affecting the health and welfare of animals, and making recommendations for changes and adjustments to United’s service,” United Airlines said in an email. “Certain breeds have unique respiratory challenges due to the anatomy of their noses and throats, and are more prone to risk when under stress or exposed to other environmental changes.”
Besides the short-nosed or snub-nosed dogs, some strong-jawed dogs have also been added to the no-fly list. Those breeds are: The American pitfall, the Dogue de Bordeaux, mastiffs, and the Belgian Malinois. Some breeds of cats are also on that list.
Also, to minimize the risk of harm to pets from extreme heat conditions, the airline will not fly animals that are traveling to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Calif., Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona between May 1 and Sept. 30th.
The Agriculture Department has stated that there have been 189 animal deaths on commercial flights between June 2005 and June 2011 and 98-more than half- were brachycephalic breeds.
On its website, United lists which dogs aren’t allowed to travel in the cargo area during warm months:
New summer embargo – breed restriction
For the safety of your animal, United Airlines does not accept the following short-nosed dog breeds as either checked baggage or cargo from June 1 – September 30. This restriction does not apply to animals traveling with you in the cabin.
American Bulldog
Boston Terrier
Boxer
English or French Bulldog
King Charles Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Pug
Shar-Pei
Shih Tzu
In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation released statistics that stated that short-nosed breeds of dogs, like pugs, boxers, some breeds of mastiffs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shitzus and bulldogs are more likely than other breeds of dogs to die on an airplane.
Because the brachycephalic dogs have shorter noses, they tend to be more vulnerable to changes in air quality and temperature in the cargo section of an airplane. Although the air in the cargo area is pressurized, the air circulating might not be ideal for your pet and being in a crate also limits the air flow. Also, there is no one in the cargo section looking after your pet so if your pet quits breathing or is not getting enough air, there is no one to help him/her until after the plane has landed.
So, should I not travel with my pug??
You can definitely take your pug with you… as long as you take certain precautions:
- Keep your pug healthy and at a normal weight. Talk to your vet and tell them you want to travel with your pug. Have your vet examine your pug before traveling with him/her.
- Make sure your pug is used to being in a crate. If they are not used to it, it could cause additional stress to your pug.
Pet Life Airline Approved ‘Cage’ Pet Carrier
- Avoid putting thick blankets, towels, etc… in your pug’s crate while traveling. Put a very thin blanket in it.
- Ask the airline to allow you to bring your pet into the passenger area of the plane with you, but ask ahead- not on the day you leave. Make sure you know the rules and regulations of taking your pug with you on a plane.
- Pick your flight times carefully when traveling with your pug. Don’t travel with him/her when it is extremely cold or hot.
- Try to minimize layovers when traveling with your pug.
Happy Traveling!! Remember… your pug’s welfare should be TOP PRIORITY!!!!!
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
